comment

Motorists in Connecticut may not yet realize it, but for the first time in 15 days, the average price of a gallon of gas appears to be leveling off, according to AAA Northeast.

On Monday, Connecticut’s average price of $2.87 per gallon is a scant three-thousandths of a cent lower than Sunday.

However, Hurricane Irma — and previously Harvey — is affecting prices in Connecticut, where we have seen a 3-cent increase compared with this last week.

AAA’s weekly survey of prices in Connecticut’s four regional areas as follows:

Greater Bridgeport/Stamford $2.93 per gallon

New Haven/Meriden $2.85 per gallon

Greater Hartford $2.86 per gallon

New London/Norwich $2.90 per gallon

Statewide Average: $2.87 per gallon

In previous weeks, Connecticut drivers have seen a 38-cent increase at the pump because of Harvey. As refineries slowly return to capacity, East Coast states can expect gas prices to remain volatile.

On Monday, 69 percent of the gas stations in the U.S. are selling gas for $2.50 or more per gallon, with only California, Hawaii and the State of Washington selling gas for $3 or more.

Several Gulf Coast refineries still remain offline; while others are operating at reduced levels or are in the process of restarting. Currently, all Florida ports are closed, which is raising demand and tightening supplies of gas.

As Gulf Coast pipelines and refineries return to full operation and Florida ports and terminals eventually reopen, gas prices should start to decrease later this month.

Oklahoma and Louisiana have the lowest averages in the nation at $2.36 and $2.40, respectively. California and Hawaii, at $3.16 and $3.10, respectively, are the states with the highest average price at $3.12 per gallon.